British naval officer and experienced balloonist

Retired British naval officer and experienced balloonist, having ascended from Vauxhall Gardens, London, 8 May 1824 with a young woman with whom he was in love, was unable to control the gas valve when the time came to descend, leaped to his death from the gondola of the balloon to lighten it and allow the young lady to float safely to the ground. Illustration published Paris circa 1870

1824 Allow Ascended Balloonist Descend Experienced Fatal Float Gondola Leaped Lighten Retired Safely Unable Valve Vauxhall Whom

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